My yorkie won't eat dog food
 

Hi,

Our yorkie is 5yrs old and will eat Iams (eukanuba) chicken flavoured small dry biscuits in the evening but for lunch will only eat human roast chicken thighs/legs. He was bought up like this, were tying to get him off the human food because it's not good for him. We have tried Ceaser and now Pedigree chum pouches but he's not interested. What else can we try him on and how do we get him off the chicken. Would rather give him something wet/moist other than just dry biscuits in the day as he won't eat his dry biscuits for lunch but does like to nibble on them in the evening. We've tried mixing chicken with dog food but just picks the chicken out.

Any advise please ?

I was going to say mix in a little chicken w/ the dog food, but then I see you've tried this. Have you tried chicken broth (low salt) on his dog food? Also, another thing to try is Parmesan Cheese (the cheap stuff, in the can) and sprinkle it on the food. Parm is pungent and can help get dogs interested.

Also, have you tried canned wet dog food?

I would try switching kibbles if she is not eating. Lucy eats Blue Buffalo and she loves it - dry or mixed with Wellness 99% canned turkey, chicken, etc. I feed her the senior version because it is lower in protein and she needs that. My Westie eats the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Duck version and he loves that too.

Neither Ceasar's or Pedigree is a great food so if he is not eating it; I would take this opportunity to switch to a higher grade brand.

Perhaps he is not that hungry at lunchtime - Lucy eats a little bit of plain dry in the early morning and then her dinner. Sometimes she does not want both.

Other things I mix in with her dry kibble are: canned carrots or green beans; scrambled egg; cottage cheese; plain nonflavored yogurt (not her favorite); OR plain boiled chicken breast and broth. (I think you are trying to wean off these though).

I simply would not offer the roasted chicken at lunch. If he refuses lunch - then offer up another option at dinner. I wouldn't withhold food indefinitely though ~ because yorkies are so small ~ but I would make sure he was hungry.

PS: Parmesean cheese works for Lucy too, sprinkled on her kibble.

I haven't had to add much lately since I quit feeding her in her crate. She hurries up to eat so that she can be sure my other dog doesn't get any of her food!